Ladders, ladder components and related methods

ABSTRACT

Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. In other embodiments, spreader mechanisms are provided with cross bracing located and configured to provide additional stability to the ladder while also incorporating a handle that enables efficient collapsing of the ladder while reducing the potential of pinching ones hands or fingers. In another embodiment, a device is provided for selective coupling with the ladder that includes a support or safety rail and an adjustable tray. The device may be coupled with the ladder in a number of different positions including a stowed position. In another embodiment, a hinge assembly is provided having a magnetic component configured to be magnetically coupled with and temporarily store an object on the ladder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/727,146 entitled LADDERS, LADDER COMPONENTS AND RELATEDMETHODS, filed on Oct. 6, 2017, now pending, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/886,566 entitled LADDERS, LADDERCOMPONENTS AND RELATED METHODS, filed on Oct. 19, 2015, issuing as U.S.Pat. No. 9,784,033 on Oct. 10, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/480,897 entitled LADDERS, LADDERCOMPONENTS AND RELATED METHODS, filed on May 25, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.9,163,455, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/399,815 entitled LADDERS, LADDER COMPONENTS AND RELATED METHODS,filed on Mar. 6, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,481, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/068,656 entitled LADDERS,LADDER COMPONENTS AND RELATED METHODS, filed on Mar. 7, 2008, thedisclosures of which are each incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to ladders, ladder systems,ladder components and related methods and, more specifically, toadjustable rail configurations, rail structures, locking mechanisms,trays and platform configurations, hinge configurations and relatedmethods of manufacturing and operating the same.

BACKGROUND

Ladders are conventionally used to provide a user thereof with improvedaccess to locations that might otherwise be inaccessible. Ladders comein many shapes and sizes, such as straight ladders, straight extensionladders, stepladders, and combination step and extension ladders.So-called combination ladders incorporate, in a single ladder, many ofthe benefits of other ladder designs.

Ladders are common tools for professional tradesman and homeownersalike. Sometimes the use of a ladder can be an awkward experience, evenfor those who use ladders on a regular basis, when certain tasks are tobe performed while standing on a ladder. For example, it can be easy tolose one's balance on a ladder while working on an overhead project(e.g., painting a ceiling, changing a light bulb, etc.) Moreover, whenone needs to utilize tools or access other resources (e.g., hardware,paint, etc.) while working on a ladder, temporary storage of such toolsor other items is often problematic. Often, the user of a ladder mayhave to make many trips up and down the ladder to exchange tools orother equipment during the performance of a particular job making theuse of the ladder less efficient than it could be.

Additionally, operation of some ladders is not always simple, efficientor safe. For example, in collapsing the spreaders of an A-frame typestepladder can result in the pinching of ones fingers or hands.Similarly, when ladders are adjustable in height or adjustable from oneconfiguration to another, the associated actuation mechanism used toeffect the adjustments may result in pinched hands or fingers or, inmany cases, just difficulty in efficiently effecting the actuation atall.

For example, in some ladders, such as combination ladders, the height ofthe ladder may be adjusted by actuating locking members (sometimesreferred to as “lock tabs”) on the sides of the ladder. The action ofactuating such locking members usually requires a lateral displacementof the locking members outward, or away from, the side rails of theladders. Such an action can be awkward and difficult for some people toperform. In many cases, such as when smaller users are trying to adjustthe height of the ladder, significant effort may be required.

Additionally, the structural stability of ladders is always an area forimprovement. For example, in stepladders, a hinged or collapsingspreader conventionally extends between opposing rails on each lateralside of the ladder. Little else is used to maintain the opposing ladderrails in a desired relationship or to otherwise reduce or minimize“ladder walk” as will be recognized by most users of ladders.

Considering the desire within the industry to continually improve thesafety, functionality and efficiency of ladders, the present includes anumber of embodiments that provide enhanced ease of use, stability andsafety in the use of ladders.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In oneembodiment, a ladder includes a first assembly having a pair of innerrails and a pair of outer rails. The pair of inner rails is slidablycoupled with the pair of outer rails. At least one locking mechanism iscoupled to an outer rail, the locking mechanism including a lever and anengagement pin coupled therewith. The lever is located and configured topivot relative to the outer rail such that, upon application of a forceto a portion of the lever in a first direction towards the outer rail,the engagement pin is retracted in a direction that is different fromthe first direction. In one embodiment, the engagement pin is pivotallycoupled with the lever.

In another embodiment, a ladder is provided that includes a first railassembly, including at least one pair of rails and a plurality of rungscoupled therewith, and a second rail assembly including at least onepair of rails. A top cap is coupled to the first rail assembly and thesecond rail assembly and a device is configured to be selectivelycoupled to the top cap in at least two different positions. The deviceincludes a rail and a tray movably coupled to the rail. The ladder mayfurther include at least one bracket coupled to the second rail assemblyand configured for cooperatively coupling with the device to place thedevice in a stowed state.

In another embodiment a ladder includes a first rail assembly includingat least one pair of rails and a plurality of rungs coupled therewithand a second rail assembly including at least one pair of rails. Aspreader mechanism is disposed between, and coupled with, the first railassembly and the second rail assembly. The spreader mechanism includescross bracing configured to be selectively positioned between a deployedstate and a hingedly collapsed state. At least one handle is coupledwith the cross bracing. In one embodiment, the at least one handle isoriented and configured to extend in a direction that is substantiallyorthogonal to a direction in which the plurality of rungs each extend.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a ladder includes a firstrail assembly including at least one pair of rails and a plurality ofrungs coupled therewith and a second rail assembly including a firstpair of rails and a second pair of rails slidably coupled with the firstpair of rails. A locking mechanism is configured to selectively engagethe first pair of rails and the second pair of rails of the second railassembly to lock the first pair of rails relative to the second pair ofrails. The locking mechanism includes a pivoting structure disposedbetween the first pair of rails of the second rail assembly, a handlecoupled with the pivoting structure and a pair of pins selectivelydisplaceable and configured to engage aligned openings in respectiveinner and outer rails of the second rail assembly. The locking mechanismmay further be associated with a cross-brace, wherein the handle isselectively positionable between a first position and a second position,the handle having a shoulder portion that abuts an undersurface of thecross-brace when in the first position. Additionally, at least one pinma be associated with the handle, wherein the at least one pin is sized,located and configured to engage an opening in the undersurface of thecross-brace when the handle is in the first position.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a hingeassembly is provided. The hinge assembly includes a first hingecomponent and a second hinge component pivotally coupled with oneanother. A mechanism is configured to selectively lock and disengage thefirst hinge component relative to the second hinge component. A magnetis associated with the mechanism, wherein the magnet is located andconfigured to exert a sufficient magnetic force on a specified objectsuch that the object is held against the mechanism without aid ofadditional structure.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof adjusting a ladder is provided, wherein the ladder has an assemblywith inner rails slidably coupled with outer rails. The method includeslocking an inner rail relative to an associate outer rail by engagingaligned apertures in the inner and outer rails with an engagement pin,coupling a lever to the engagement pin, and applying a force to thelever in a direction of the outer rail and displacing the engagement pinin substantially opposite direction.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, amethod of temporarily storing an object on a ladder is provided. Themethod includes magnetically coupling the object with a portion of theladder such that the object is maintained in a substantially constantposition relative to the ladder without the aid of additional structurebeing the force of the magnetic coupling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is side perspective view of the ladder shown in FIG. 1 with acomponent shown in a first position or state;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the ladder shown in FIG. 1 with acomponent shown in a second position or state;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the ladder shown in FIG. 1 with acomponent shown in a third position or state;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the ladder shown in FIG. 1with a component in a stored state;

FIGS. 6A-6E are various views of a component of the ladder shown in FIG.1 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective and front views, respectively, of asubcomponent of the component shown in FIGS. 6A-6E;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are front and rear views, respectively, of the componentshown in FIGS. 6A-6E;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective and top views, respectively, of a topcap assembly that may be used with a ladder in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective, exploded view of a mechanism of the laddershown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, side perspective view of the ladder shown inFIG. 1, showing portions of the mechanism shown in FIG. 10 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the ladder shown in FIG. 1 including anenlarged view of a component or mechanism in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a front view of the ladder shown in FIG. 1including the component or mechanism shown in FIG. 12 in first and asecond states or positions, respectively, and FIGS. 13C and 13Dschematically show the component or mechanism in its first and secondstates, corresponding with the states shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B;

FIG. 14 is an exploded assembly view of the component or mechanism shownin FIGS. 12, 13A and 13B in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view from the rear of the ladder shown in FIG. 1showing another component or mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 shows operational aspects of the component or mechanism shown inFIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view, from below, of the component or mechanismshown in FIG. 15;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views of ladder in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a hinge assembly that may be used with a ladder in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is perspective view of a hinge assembly in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a ladder 100 is shown in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. The ladder 100 is shown as astepladder and includes a first assembly 102 including inner rails 101having a plurality of rungs 103 extending between, and coupled to, theinner rails 101. The first assembly 102 further includes outer rails 105connected by a plurality of rungs 107. The inner and outer rails 101 and105 are slidably connected to each other such that they may be extendedor retracted to exhibit different heights. One such assembly isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,224 to Kummerlin, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The firstassembly 102 further includes a locking mechanism 104 coupled with theouter rails 105 and configured to engage or release the inner rails 101from the outer rails 105 so that they may be selectively displacedrelative to one another and effect different ladder heights. The lockingmechanism 104 will be discussed in further detail hereinbelow.

The ladder 100 further includes a second assembly 106 which may alsoinclude inner rails 109 and outer rails 111 slidingly coupled to oneanother. In the embodiment shown, the second assembly 106 includes crossbracing to stiffen the second assembly 106 and provide desiredstructural rigidity. However, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through4, the second assembly 106 does not include rungs for a user to climbon. Such a configuration is conventional for many stepladderconfigurations. However, it is noted that in other embodiments, thesecond assembly 106 may include rungs and may be configured, forexample, similar to the first assembly 102.

Another locking mechanism 108 may be used to selectively lock andrelease the inner rails 109 relative to the outer rails 111 of thesecond assembly 106. The locking mechanism 108 will be described infurther detail below.

The first and second assemblies 102 and 106 may each be coupled to a topcap 110. One of the first and second assemblies 102 and 106 (or both)may be configured to pivot relative to the top cap 110 such that theassemblies 102 and 106 may be displaced toward each other for compactstorage and as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart. The top cap 110 may include a number of features to enhance theefficiency and usability of the ladder 100 as will be described infurther detail hereinbelow.

The ladder 100 further includes a spreader mechanism 112 coupled betweenthe first and second assemblies 102 and 106 which extends therebetweento provide desired structural stability to the ladder 100 when in use,while also being configured to fold, such as by pivots or hinges,enabling the first and second assemblies 102 and 106 to collapse towardone another (with at least one of the assemblies 102 and 106 pivotingrelative to the top cap 110) to place the ladder 100 in a stored state.Further details of the spreader mechanism 112 will be describedhereinbelow.

The ladder 100 additionally includes a component 114 or mechanism thatis releasably attached thereto and which provides multiple functions.For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the component 114 may beselectively installed or coupled with the ladder 100 (e.g., coupled withthe top cap 110 of the ladder) such that a rail 116 may extend upwardfrom the top cap 110, at an angle that is generally acute relative to ahorizontal line (with the ladder in an orientation of intended use), andprovide support to a user, wherein a user may grasp or lean on the rail116 to brace themselves or help support them when working at elevatedheights on the ladder 100. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, therail 116 is shown as extending in a plane that is substantially parallelwith a plane defined by the outer rails 103 of the first assembly 102,although it may be configured to extend at other angles if desired.Additionally, the component 114 may include a tray 118 or platform thatmay be selectively positioned, such as shown in FIG. 3, to hold tools,hardware, paint or other items in a convenient and organized manner asshall be discussed in further detail herein.

The component 114 may be selectively coupled with the ladder 100 inother positions. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the component mayextend substantially horizontally or laterally from the top cap 110(with the ladder in an orientation of intended use) so that the tray 118may be selectively positioned to hold various items, but at a differentelevation as compared to the configuration that is shown in FIG. 3.

As seen in FIG. 5, the component 114 may be removed from the upperportion of the ladder and then stored, such as with one or more brackets120 coupled to, for example, inner or outer rails of the second assembly106. Thus, the component 114 may be selectively deployed in a number ofusable configurations or in a stowed configuration depending on thespecific needs of the user at a given time.

FIGS. 6A-6D show various views of the component 114 in a deployedconfiguration, such as the configuration shown in FIG. 3 with the rail116 extending upward from the ladder and the tray 118 being positionedrelative to rail 116 to extend laterally, or substantially horizontally,therefrom. In other embodiments, the tray may be positioned to extendsubstantially parallel to, or lie within, a plane defined by the rail116.

As seen more clearly in FIG. 6E, the component 114 may include one ormore locking mechanisms 121 configured to selectively lock the component114 in place relative to a portion of the ladder 100. The lockingmechanism 121 may include, for example, an engaging pin 122 or otherstructure that is selectively displaceable by a user of the ladder andconfigured to engage mating openings or apertures in various portions ofthe ladder 100 (e.g., the top cap).

FIGS. 7A and 7B are rear perspective and front views of the tray 118 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Additionally,FIGS. 8A and 8B show front and rear views of the component 114 with thetray 118 being positioned to lie substantially in plane with the rail116. The tray 118 may include a plurality of openings 124 for holdingvarious tools or other equipment. For example, some of such openings 124may be sized to pass a portion of a screwdriver therethrough whileholding a portion of the screwdriver above the tray 118 providing readyaccess to the tool for a user. The openings 124 may be variously sizedto accept and support different types of tools (e.g., hammers, pliers,etc.). A relatively large opening may be formed in a portion of the tray118 to accommodate temporary storage or holding of, for example, a powertool such as a drill. In the embodiment shown, a cap 126 is placed overthe larger opening, and a recess is formed thereabout, to accommodate,for example, the holding of a paint can. Other recesses 128 may beformed in the tray 118 to temporarily hold or store other loose items(e.g., screws, nails, various tools, etc.). Magnets 130 may be disposedbeneath or adjacent such recesses to provide further securement of suchloose items. The tray 118 may further include slotted apertures, forexample adjacent the peripheral edges of the tray 118, to hold variousitems such as the end of an extension cord or the end of a lanyardcoupled to a tool or other item.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a top cap 110 may be configured to includevarious features similar to that of the tray 118. For example, variousopenings, recesses, slotted apertures, or combinations thereof, may beformed in the top cap 110. Thus, the top cap 110 and the tray 118 mayprovide a substantial amount of temporary storage for tools, hardwareand other equipment such that the user need not make numerous trips upand down the ladder to exchange tools or other equipment whileperforming a given task.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a spreader mechanism 112 is shown inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The spreadermechanism 112 includes two outer structures 140A and 140B that areconfigured to hingedly transition between a collapsed or folded state(not shown) and an extended or deployed state (such as shown in FIGS. 10and 11) as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.The spreader mechanism 112 further includes two inner structures 142Aand 142B that are similarly configured to transition between a collapsedor folder state and an extended or deployed state. The inner structures142A and 142B are coupled to one another and are coupled tocorresponding outer structures 140A and 140B such that all of thestructures extend and collapse as a unit. In other words, the innerstructures 142A and 142B fold in a manner similar to the outerstructures 140A and 140B. Inner structures 142A and 142B of the spreadermechanism 112, when in an extended or deployed state, act ascross-braces for the spreader mechanism 112 providing added support andstability to the ladder 100 as compared to conventional spreaders usedin a stepladder.

A handle 144 is coupled to the inner structures 142A and 142B of thespreader mechanism 112 without curtailing the folding nature of theinner structures 142A and 142B. In the embodiment shown, the handle 144is oriented to extend in a direction substantially orthogonally to thedirection in which the rungs of the ladder 100 extend (see also FIGS.1-4). Such a configuration enables a user of the ladder 100 to collapsethe spreader mechanism 112 by, for example, reaching between the railsof the first assembly 102, and between rungs of the first assembly 102,and pulling on the handle 144 in a direction that is generally upwardsand towards the user when the ladder 100 is in an intended in-useorientation. Such a configuration enables collapsing of the ladder 100by a user without the need to reach around, or walk around, the side ofthe ladder 100 to displace the spreaders. Additionally, the use of thehandle 144 helps to prevent the possibility of a user pinching theirhands or fingers in the hinge of a spreader or spreader mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 12, 13A, 13B and 14, a locking mechanism 104 isshown. FIG. 12 shows a side view of a ladder 100 including the lockingmechanism 104. FIGS. 13A and 13B show front views of a ladder 100including the locking mechanism 104 in a first position or state (FIG.13A) and a second position or state (FIG. 13B). FIG. 14 is an explodedassembly view of the locking mechanism 104 according to one embodimentof the present invention.

The locking mechanism 104 includes an engagement pin 150 thatselectively engages, for example, apertures formed in the inner andouter rails 101 and 105 of the first assembly 102 when such aperturesare aligned. The locking mechanism 104 includes a lever 152 pivotallycoupled with the pin 150. The lever 152 is configured to pivot or “rock”relative to the outer rails 105 of the first assembly 102 between thefirst and second positions or states. When the locking mechanism 104 isin the first state (as shown in FIG. 13A), the pin 150 is engaged with,or passes through, aligned apertures of the inner and outer rails 101and 105 preventing the inner rails 101 from being slidingly displacedrelative to the outer rails 105.

When a user desires to displace the inner and outer rails 101 and 105 ofthe first assembly 102 relative to each other, the user may, forexample, grasp the lower portion of the lever 152 in their palm, grab aportion of the inner and outer rails 101 and 105 with their fingers, andsqueeze so as to displace the lower portion of the lever 152 towards theouter rails 105 and thereby displace the upper portion of the lever 152(and, thus, the pin 150) away from the inner and outer rails 101 and 105such that it is disengaged from the aperture of at least the inner rails101 and placing the locking mechanism in the second position (as shownin FIG. 13B).

The locking mechanism 104 may include additional components andfeatures. For example, the locking mechanism 104 may include a detent orretaining mechanism 250 (shown schematically in FIG. 13D) to hold thelever 152 (and, thus, the pin 150) in either, or each, of the first orsecond positions until a desired level of force is applied to the lever152. Thus, once disengaged (i.e., in the second position), the lockingmechanism 104 may stay in that position or state until an appropriatelevel of force is applied inwardly to the upper portion of the lever(e.g., in a similar manner as was described with respect to applying aforce to the lower portion of the lever 152 hereinabove) to cause thelever 152 to return to the first position.

As seen in FIG. 14, the locking mechanism 104 may include a bracket 153configured to be coupled with, for example, an outer rail 105 of thefirst assembly 102, a pin or other connecting structure 154 pivotallycoupling the lever 152 with the bracket 153, a pin or other connectingstructure 155 pivotally coupling the lever 152 with the engagement pin150, and a biasing 156 member that provides a desired biasing forcebetween the lever 152 and the bracket 153. The locking mechanism 104 mayalso include a sleeve 157 through which the engagement pin 150 passesand which helps to facilitate alignment and engagement of the engagementpin 150 with the openings or apertures of the rails in the firstassembly 102.

While the operation of the locking mechanism 104 is described above as asqueezing action by the user, other means of operating the lockingmechanism may be employed. For example, a user may strike the lowerportion of the lever 152 with a quick blow of sufficient force todisplace it from the first position to the second position. Reengagementmay be likewise accomplished.

The squeezing operation of the locking mechanism 104, or the applicationof force in a direction toward the inner and outer rails 101 and 105 ofthe first assembly 102 is more ergonomic and natural for a user ascompared to conventional lock tabs and provides for more efficient useof the ladder 100.

As previously noted, the engagement pin 150 is pivotally or hingedlycoupled with the lever 152 such that the pin 150 and the lever 152 donot keep the same geometric relationship between them when in the firstand second positions. This enables the pin 150 to stay aligned with aspecified axis. In some embodiments, the pin 150 may extend through theopening 252 or aperture of the inner rail 101 and into a space definedwithin an associated rung 103. In such a case, it may become importantto maintain the pin 150 in alignment with the axis of the rung forsatisfactory operation. To additionally assist with maintaining thealignment of the pin 150 with a specified axis (e.g., an axis extendingthrough a rung 103 from one inner rail 101 to the other inner rail 101),a slot 159 may be formed in the handle 152 enabling the correspondingpin 155 to become displaced along a length of the slot 159 when thehandle 152 is displaced from the its first position or state (FIG. 13A)to its second position or state (FIG. 13B).

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, the locking mechanism 108 associatedwith the second assembly (see also FIGS. 1-4) is described. FIG. 16shows an embodiment of the locking mechanism 108 with many portions ofthe second assembly 106 not shown and a few portions of the secondassembly 106 indicated by dashed lines for purposes of clarity. Thelocking mechanism 108 includes a handle 160 rotatably coupled to a pairof links 161A and 161B, which are in turn pivotally coupled to a pair ofpins 162A and 162B, respectively. When in a locked state, the pins 162Aand 162B extend through aligned openings or apertures formed in theinner and outer rails 109 and 111 of the second assembly 106. When thehandle 160 is rotated in a desired direction (e.g., clockwise), the pins162A and 162B retract or become displaced inwardly toward the handle 160such that they disengage openings in at least the outer rails 111 of thesecond assembly 106. This enables the inner 109 and outer rails 111 ofthe second assembly 106 to be slidingly displaced relative to oneanother. In one embodiment, the handle 106 and pins 162A and 162B may bebiased towards the engaged position such that, when the pins 162A and162B become aligned with apertures or openings in the outer rails, theyautomatically extend through such openings.

Referring briefly to FIG. 17, another embodiment of the handle 160 isshown which may include a shoulder portion 170 configured to abut thelower surface 172 of the cross-brace 174 associated with the lockingmechanism. When in use (i.e., to disengage the pins 162A and 162B), thehandle 160 pivots about pins 176 so that the shoulder portion 170 isdisplaced away from the cross-brace 174 and may then be used to actuatethe locking mechanism 108 by rotating the handle in a desired directionas described above. When not in use, the shoulder portion 170 abuts thelower surface 172 of the cross-brace 174, it prevents the handle fromrotating and consequently displacing the pins 162A and 162B. In otherwords, the shoulder portion 170 acts as a safety device to preventactuation of the locking mechanism 108 and inadvertent adjustment of theinner rails 109 relative to the outer rails 111 of the second assembly106.

In addition to the use of the shoulder portion 170, a pin 178 may beformed on, or coupled with, the shoulder portion 170. The pin 178 may besized and configured to engage an opening or slot 180 formed on thelower surface 172 of the cross-brace 174. Engagement of the pin 178 withthe slot 180 provides an additional locking action to preventinadvertent rotation of the handle 160, and thus actuation of thelocking mechanism 108, by helping to maintain the handle 160 in theposition shown in FIG. 15, wherein the shoulder portion 170 abuts thelower surface 172 of the cross-brace 174.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, another ladder 200 is shown. Theladder 200 does not include adjustable assemblies. Rather, the ladder200 includes a first assembly 202 having a plurality of rungs 203coupled to two spaced apart, non-adjustable (with respect to height)rails 201. The rungs 203 are configured with substantial depth thatextends beyond the depth of the rails both inwardly (toward a secondassembly 204) and outwardly (in the direction away from the secondassembly 204) to provide a user with a larger surface area to stand onwhen working. In other words, the depth of the rungs 203 exceeds thedepth of rails 201 and protrudes in each direction relative to the rails201. The enlarged surface area of the rungs 203 can provide increasedcomfort, stability and safety in certain working conditions as comparedto the rungs of more conventional stepladders. The ladder 200 mayinclude other features and components similar to those described abovewith respect to the ladder 100 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.

Referring now to FIG. 20, a hinge assembly 220 is shown in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The hinge assembly 220 maybe used in association with, for example, combination ladders similar tothe hinge described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,045 to Boothe, the disclosureof which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such ahinge assembly 220 may be used on other types of ladders as well as willbe appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment,the hinge assembly 220 includes multiple hinge components pivotallycoupled with one another, wherein the outer hinge plates 222A and 222Bof a hinge component are spaced further apart from one another ascompared to those of previous hinge assemblies. Such spacing providesadditional torsional stiffness and may enable the use of thinner,lighter hinge plates 222A and 222B. In one embodiment, the hingeassembly 220 further includes four locking pins 224 as compared to twolocking pins in prior art assemblies. The use of four pins 224strengthens the hinge assembly 220 and may increase the load rating ofthe ladder or otherwise provide for the use of lighter components suchas hinge plates.

The hinge assembly 220 further includes at least one magnet 226 whichmay, for example, be disposed within a cavity of an actuation button228. The magnet 226 is configured to provide a sufficient magnetic forceto hold a desired tool or other item on the side of the ladder (e.g.,contiguous with the actuating button) without falling from the ladder.Thus, for example, a pair of pliers or wire cutters (or even multipletools) may be magnetically coupled to the side of the ladder providingan easy, temporary storage of such tools or items during use of theladder as shown in FIG. 21. In certain embodiments, additional magnetsmay be disposed along the sides of the rails of a ladder such that toolsmay be magnetically coupled therewith, and temporarily stored, atdifferent elevational locations on the ladder depending, for example,what rung a user may be standing on for a given job.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and have been described in detail herein.However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended tobe limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the inventionincludes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingappended claims.

1.-6. (canceled)
 7. A method of transitioning a step ladder from adeployed position to a collapsed position, the method comprising:reaching between a first pair of rails; grasping a structure coupled toa pair of spreader mechanisms; pulling the cross-member in a directionthat is generally upward and toward the pair of rails to cause a secondpair of rails to be displaced toward the first pair of rails.
 8. Themethod according to claim 7, wherein reaching between a first pair ofrails further includes reaching between two rungs of a plurality ofrungs.
 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein grasping a structureincludes grasping a handle.
 10. The method according to claim 9, whereingrasping a handle includes grasping a handle that longitudinally extendsin a direction substantially orthogonal to a length of a rung of theplurality of rungs.
 11. A ladder comprising: A first rail assemblyincluding a first rail, a second rail and a plurality of rungs extendingbetween and coupled to the first rail and the second rail; A second railassembly including a third rail and a fourth rail, the second railassembly pivotally displaceable relative to the first rail assembly; afirst hinged spreader coupled with the first rail and the third rail; asecond hinged spreader coupled with the second rail and the fourth rail;at least one structural member coupled between the first hinged spreaderand the second hinged spreader and effecting simultaneous folding of thefirst hinged spreader and the second hinged spreader upon application ofa generally upward force to the at least one structural member.
 12. Theladder of claim 11, wherein the at least one structural member includesa first structural member coupled between the first hinged spreader andthe second hinged spreader and a second structural member coupledbetween the first hinged spreader and the second hinged spreader. 13.The ladder of claim 11, further comprising a handle coupled with the atleast one structural member.
 14. The ladder of claim 13, wherein thehandle is oriented and configured to extend in a direction that issubstantially orthogonal to a direction in which the plurality of rungseach extend.